A nurse is caring for a client who is dying of metastatic breast cancer. She has a prescription for an opioid pain medication PRN. The nurse is concerned that administering a dose of pain medication might hasten the client's death. Which of the following ethical principles should the nurse use to support the decision not to administer the medication?

Fidelity

Veracity

Utilitarianism

Non-maleficence

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Fidelity: Fidelity refers to the duty to fulfill one's commitments and obligations. While important in nursing practice, fidelity is not directly applicable to the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario.
B. Veracity: Veracity refers to truthfulness and honesty in communication. While it is important for the nurse to communicate honestly with the client and their family about the risks and benefits of pain management, the decision not to administer pain medication is primarily based on the principle of non-maleficence.
C. Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that emphasizes the greatest good for the greatest number of people. While pain relief may contribute to the overall well-being of the client, the decision not to administer pain medication in this scenario is more closely aligned with the principle of non-maleficence, as it focuses on avoiding harm to the individual client.
D. Non-maleficence: Non-maleficence is the ethical principle that emphasizes the duty to do no harm. In this situation, the nurse's primary concern is to avoid causing harm to the client. Administering pain medication to relieve suffering, even if it might hasten death, aligns with the principle of non-maleficence because the intent is to alleviate suffering and provide comfort to the dying client.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Answer: B. Non-maleficence

Rationale:

A. Utility:
The principle of utility refers to actions that maximize the overall good or benefit for the greatest number of people. In this scenario, the nurse’s refusal to share the surgeon's medical diagnosis does not directly relate to maximizing benefits, so this principle is not applicable.

B. Non-maleficence:
Non-maleficence is the ethical principle that involves the obligation to avoid causing harm to others. By not disclosing the surgeon's medical diagnosis, the nurse is protecting the surgeon's privacy and confidentiality, thereby preventing potential harm that could arise from sharing sensitive health information without consent.

C. Paternalism:
Paternalism refers to making decisions for others with the belief that it is in their best interest, often overriding their autonomy. The nurse's action of withholding information is not based on deciding what is best for the other nurse but rather on adhering to confidentiality principles.

D. Justice:
Justice in healthcare refers to fairness in the distribution of resources and treatment. The situation does not pertain to equitable treatment or allocation of resources, so this principle is not relevant in this context.

A. Rotavirus (RV) B. Human papillomavirus (HPV) C. Measles, mumps rubella (MMR) D. Varicella (VAR) E. Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP)

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

A. Rotavirus (RV): Rotavirus vaccine is routinely recommended for infants to protect against rotavirus infection, which can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration in young children. It is typically administered orally in multiple doses starting at around 2 months of age.
B. Human papillomavirus (HPV): The HPV vaccine is not routinely administered to infants at 1 year of age. It is typically recommended for preteens and adolescents to protect against HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
C. Measles, mumps rubella (MMR): The MMR vaccine is routinely given to infants around 1 year of age to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). It is typically administered as a single injection.
D. Varicella (VAR): The varicella vaccine is routinely recommended for infants to protect against chickenpox (varicella) infection. It is typically administered as a single injection around 1 year of age.
E. Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP): The DTaP vaccine is routinely given to infants to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). It is typically administered as a series of injections starting at around 2 months of age.

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Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is providing care for a surgeon on a medical-surgical unit. A nurse from another unit asks the nurse about the surgeon's medical diagnosis. The nurse responds that he is unable to provide the information requested. The nurse is displaying which of the following ethical principles?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Rationale:

A nurse is preparing to administer vaccines to a 1-year-old child. Which of the following vaccines should the nurse give? (Select all that apply)

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D","E"]

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and has been taking lithium for 1 year. Before administering the medication, the nurse should check to see that which of the following tests have been completed?

A nurse is caring for a client who was involved in heavy combat and observed war casualties. The nurse should suspect that the client is suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if the client makes which of the following statements?

A nurse is instructing a client who has a new diagnosis of Raynaud's disease about preventing the onset of manifestations. Which of the following client statements should indicate to the nurse the need for additional teaching?

A nurse is performing tracheostomy care for a client and suctioning to remove copious secretions. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is caring for a client who has named a person to serve as his health care proxy. The client talks about this type of advance directives. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for clarification?

A nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a child. Identify the sequence the nurse should follow. (Move the steps into the box on the right, placing them in the selected order of performance. Use all the steps.)

A charge nurse notes that a staff nurse delegates an unfair share of tasks to the assistive personnel (AP) and the nurses on next shift report the staff nurse frequently leaves tasks uncompleted. Which of the following statements should the charge nurse make to resolve this conflict?

A child is admitted with a suspected diagnosis of Wilms tumor. The nurse should place a sign with which of the following warnings over the child's bed?